The golden silk orbweaver is also known as the Florida orb weaver spider or the banana spider, due to its body shape. They build webs up to three feet in diameter and often wrap their prey in silk to keep them for a future meal. These spiders orient themselves so their abdomen is facing the sun to reduce the amount of radiant heat they are exposed to and ‘sweat’ by expelling water through their fangs.
Males remain quite small however females can grow to three inches long. Despite their intimidating appearance, these spiders are considered to be relatively harmless. The bushy segments on their legs are signs of a juvenile spider, as adult spiders lose them.
